2 weeks Ago
Members of a bowls club has branded a proposed 2000 per cent parking increase as "obscene". Eastbourne Parade Bowls Club said they fear for their membership after the Eastbourne Borough Council announced the proposal to increase parking fees. (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) The club told members they are shocked and dismayed over proposals from Eastbourne council to increase charges from £40 to £840-a-year at their nearest car park.
"We received the proposed change to permits and quite frankly, its beyond comprehension," the bowls club said in a statement on their website. "We are dismayed and shocked to have now found out what Eastbourne Councils plan for the seafront car parks, and in particular the Bowling Club permits that have been in place for several years. "We as a bowls club now fear for our membership as most of our members are of retirement age, and this price hike could make playing bowls a thing of the past for some in the current economic climate.
" (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) READ MORE: Child Benefit changes could alter payments for millions next month The bowls club asked for support and objections to fight the new parking fees. "We urge, beg and plead with the Eastbourne Bowling family to take part in the online survey to support our objections to what is an obscene price increase," the bowls club said. Eastbourne Parade club secretary Gill Waters told the BBC: "We are looking at losing some of our members who can't afford it.
" Whilst member Jim Stewart said: "We feel we're sitting ducks for it." (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) READ MORE: School could be shut for five days over strikes protesting job cuts This comes as figures showed 49p of every £1 of council tax in Eastbourne is spent on temporary accommodation. The cost of living crisis is forcing the council into 2000 per cent increases in parking fees to cover the cost.
Councillor Colin Swansborough, cabinet member for community spaces, said: “Local authorities in the UK are undoubtedly experiencing the greatest financial pressures in living memory and we are having to make difficult decisions to ensure services can be maintained. "Many other councils are closing facilities altogether, but we are doing all we can in Eastbourne to avoid that. "One measure is to bring parking arrangements in line with other councils, while also remaining fair to residents and sustainable for council finances.
" A spokesman for the council said temporary accommodation is used for people who cannot pay their rent or mortgages or are forced out when landlords sell. He said: "The underfunding of local government and unprecedented costs of homelessness and temporary accommodation in Eastbourne have resulted in savings of £7.6 million and changes in the way some services are operated.
"The council has been spending up to £5 million a year on temporary accommodation, which equates to 49p in every pound of council tax collected by the authority." Financial pressure on the council is forcing a rethink on parking permits with a consultation on proposed new charges launched this week. The spokesman added: "For nearly 30 years, the council has subsidised parking in council-owned car parks and other parking areas, but with the funding for public services in Eastbourne under the ‘greatest financial pressures in living memory,’ a new permit system is required.
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